Ossie Davis recently passed away at the age of 87. Today’s page pays tribute to his remarkable life as an actor and passionate civil-rights activist.

Ossie Davis was a gifted actor, writer and producer. His booming baritone voice was instantly recognizable.

Davis was as big a presence in the struggle for civil-rights as he was on the stage and screen. This is all the more important when we realize that Davis and his wife actress Ruby Dee, openly fought against racial discrimination at a time when it could have cost them their brilliant careers.

Raiford Chatman Davis was born in Cogdell, Ga. on Dec. 18, 1917. His initials “R and C” sounded like Ossie when spoken – the name stuck.

Davis came to New York and started his career in 1940 with Harlem’s Rose McClendon Players. It was in Harlem that he would choose his career path and meet longtime friend and fellow actor Harry Belafonte, as well as his future wife, Ruby Dee.

Davis met Dee during his 1946 Broadway debut, in a play called “Jeb.” He won rave reviews. The play didn’t last long, but Ossie and Ruby would. They married in 1948 and would remain together for the next 56 years.

It’s almost impossible to speak of one without the other.

Davis and Dee were quick to share time, talents and ideals. Together, they were a tour de force, both onstage and off.

Davis and Dee often took parts that highlighted the struggle of African-Americans, and used their energies offstage fighting on their behalf.

The pair sued the federal court for black voting rights They were put on a blacklist during the communist witch hunts of the 1950s. A blacklist is a list of people who are boycotted or denied work because of their actions or beliefs. During this time, anyone suspected of supporting communist activity was blacklisted. It didn’t matter if the charges were true or not.

Davis and Dee chose to openly support fellow actor Paul Robeson, even when other African-Americans were condemning him for his travels to Russia during the Cold War years. In the end, after the anti-communist dust had settled, the two emerged unscathed. “We’ve never been, to our knowledge, guilty of anything – other than being black – that might upset anybody,” Davis wrote in a joint autobiography with Dee.

It was fitting that Davis delivered the now famous eulogy at the funeral of slain civil-rights leader Malcolm X, calling him “our living black manhood.”

In addition to being a fine actor and activist, Davis was also a writer and director. He wrote the hit play “Purlie Victorious” (1961) and directed several films, the most noted of which was “Cotton Comes to Harlem” in 1970.

He was an inspiration to young filmmakers like Spike Lee. Davis encouraged Lee to “take chances,” and starred in several of Lee’s films, including “Do the Right Thing” (1989) and “Get On The Bus” (1996).

In the midst of acting, activism and inspiring others, Davis found time to write three award-winning children’s books: “Escape to Freedom,” “Langston” and “Just Like Martin.” He and Dee were honored as national treasures for a lifetime of tireless work, and received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2004.

At 87 years old, Davis was still busy. He was in Florida working on a film when he passed away on Feb. 4, 2005.

The entertainment world lost one of its biggest talents, and the civil-rights movement, one of its biggest champions. His life remains an inspiration to all.